Many people have come into contact with asbestos fibers through their jobs (occupational exposure). Some of the work environments or occupations in which workers are now or were exposed in the past include:

Companies that mine or have previously mined for asbestos have made large investments after turning it into asbestos-containing materials. The employees of these companies, including their families, have inhaled significant concentrations of asbestos fibers and over a period of time many lives have been lost. What to do about mining for asbestos and where to draw the line are questions that are difficult to answer.

Building demolition or renovation projects may disturb asbestos-containing building materials. Such disturbances can result in the production of asbestos-containing dust which may contaminate a structure.

The North Carolina Asbestos Hazard Management Program (AHMP), administered by Health Hazards Control Unit (HHCU), provides information to the public, to schools, and to business and industry about this health hazard and the proper ways to control or eliminate possible asbestos contamination and exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in certain rock formations, mined from open pit mines. Most of the asbestos used in the United States today comes from Canada. Three types, chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite are most commonly found in the United States. The short thin asbestos fibers released into the air are a hazard to persons who may breathe in these fibers. There is no known safe level of exposure for persons who work with asbestos or may be in the same area as an asbestos project.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up over two-thirds of all cases. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lung and chest cavity known as the pleura.